NATIONAL AI STRATEGY

Start date :2021
End date :
Name of responsible governmental body :
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE;)
  • Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY;)
  • The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS;)
  • Science Foundation Ireland (SFI;)
  • Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER;)
  • Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC;)
  • Department of Transport (DoT;)
  • Department of Justice (Justice;)
  • Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM;)
  • Enterprise Ireland (EI;)
  • Industrial Development Agency (IDA;)
  • National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI;)
  • Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA;)
  • Local Enterprise Office (LEO;)
  • Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO;)
  • European Union (EU;)
  • Enterprise AI Advisory Board (;)
  • Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN;)
  • Higher Education Authority (HEA;)
  • Skillnet Ireland (;)
  • The Further Education and Training Authority (SOLAS;)
  • Department of Education and Skills (D/Education;)
  • Data Governance Board (;)
  • Central Statistics Office (CSO;)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA;)
  • Sustainable Energy Authority Of Ireland (SEAI;)
Description :
  • This strategy aims to provide a high-level direction to the development, adoption and implementation of AI in Ireland.
Ireland flag
Objectives:
  • To build strong public trust in AI as a force for societal good in Ireland.
  • To generate an agile and appropriate governance and regulatory environment for AI.
  • To increase productivity through a step change in AI adoption by Irish enterprise.
  • To foster better public service outcomes through a step change in AI adoption by the Irish public sector.
  • To promote a strong Irish ecosystem for high-quality and responsible AI research and innovation. To guarantee data, digital and connectivity infrastructure which provides a secure foundation for AI development and use in Ireland.
  • To prepare the workforce for adopting AI.
OECD AI principle adressed:
  • Inclusive growth, sustainable development and well-being
  • Human-centred values and fairness
  • Robustness, security and safety
  • Investing in AI R&D
  • Fostering a digital ecosystem for AI
  • Providing an enabling policy environment for AI
  • Building human capacity and preparing for labour market transition
  • International co-operation for trustworthy AI
Relevant policy area covered:
  • Agriculture
  • Corporate governance
  • Digital economy
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Industry and entrepreneurship
  • Innovation
  • Investment
  • Public governance
  • Science and technology
  • Social and welfare issues
  • Tax
  • Transport
Related to a theme:
Direct beneficiaries:
Estimated budget expenditure (range per year):
  • Don't know
Background including shifts in the policy initiative:
  • After committing to develop a National AI Strategy via the Future of Jobs report 2019, Ireland launched its cross-government strategy after a brief public consultation process (Oct 2019-Nov 2019).
Policy initiative is a structural reform:
  • No
Evaluated:
  • No
Link to evaluation or reports:
  • N.A
Public access URL:
Funding from the private sector:
  • No
Type of evaluation:
  • N.A
Evaluation provides input to:
  • N.A
Evaluation performed by:
  • N.A
Policy instruments :

AI skills and education

  • Type : AI skills and education
  • Name in English :
  • Country : Ireland

National strategies, agendas and plans

  • Type : National strategies, agendas and plans
  • Name in English : National Artificial Intelligence Strategy
  • Country : Ireland
  • Public access URL : https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/91f74-national-ai-strategy/
  • Strategy mainly prioritises : Facilitate experimentation in a controlled environment | Review and adapt existing policy and regulatory frameworks | Increase public awareness and civic engagement | Business innovation and innovative entrepreneurship | Public research capabilities | Education and skills | Societal challenges (e.g. social inclusiveness); environmental challenges (e.g. sustainability) | Other | Connectivity and digitalisation
  • - Other : AI use in the public sector
  • - Quantifiable target, Deadline : Business innovation and innovative entrepreneurship: i. To establish an Enterprise Digital Advisory Board to advise and work with Government to drive industry adoption of AI and other digital technologies including by:a. Assessing the current spectrum of AI resources available to industry from Government to inform actions to maximise the potential of the existing infrastructure.b. Developing an AI programme for enterprise of targeted funding and advisory measures for AI adoption.c. Raising awareness among businesses of all sizes of the resources available to help with AI adoption.d. Developing a national AI cluster or platform to drive collaboration between MNCs and SMEs. [All actions above for DETE, EI, IDA, LEOs, SFI]ii. To consider the best model for a data and AI infrastructure platform to accelerate the onboarding and adoption of AI in industry. [DETE/IDA/EI/DPER-OGCIO]iii. To establish an AI Innovation Hub, as part of Ireland’s planned programme of European Digital Innovation Hubs, to act as a National First Stop for AI, providing expertise and guidance to enterprises on their AI adoption journey. [DETE, EI, Digital Europe]
  • - Quantifiable target, Deadline : Connectivity and digitalisation: i. To build on initiatives such as the EMPOWER program, provide a framework for trustworthy data governance across the private sector and develop tools and methodologies to apply the framework. [DFHERIS, SFI / DETE, EI, IDA]ii. To promulgate standards and guidelines for ethical data sharing within the Public Service. [DPER /Data Governance Board]iii. To increase the availability of open government data for AI training and testing, including by holding an AI Open Data Challenge. [DPER / CSO]iv. To identify public sector climate and environmental open datasets to encourage development of AI solutions for climate action. [DPER / DECC, EPA, SEAI]
  • - Quantifiable target, Deadline : Education and skills: i. To deliver a review in 2021 of the skills implications of AI over the next 5 to 10 years, and the skills related actions needed to realise the potential of AI. [DETE, EGFSN]ii. To encourage Higher Education Institutions to take a coordinated approach to delivering AI education and training informed by the outcome of the EGFSN review. [DFHERIS, HEA and HEIs]iii. To assist employers to expand workplace-focused AI upskilling and reskilling, including through apprenticeships, SOLAS programmes, Skillnet Ireland training programmes and enterprise partnership schemes. [DFHERIS, Skillnet Ireland, HEA, & SOLAS / DETE, Enterprise AI Advisory Board]iv. To consider how AI can be incorporated into future policy for digital learning. [D/Education]v. To review the criteria for employment permits for critical AI-related skills, having regard to the research and analysis of AI skills needs that is undertaken. [DETE]vi. To establish an expert group to develop an action plan to increase the participation of women in related careers. [DETE / DFHERIS / D/Education / DCEDIY]
  • - Quantifiable target, Deadline : Facilitate experimentation in a controlled environment: To identify sectors of opportunity for establishing AI testbeds and experimentation facilities. [DETE, EI, IDA & NSAI / DFHERIS, SFI, Enterprise AI Advisory Board]
  • - Quantifiable target, Deadline : Increase public awareness and civic engagement: To appoint an AI Ambassador to champion AI as a positive force for the economy and society. [DETE]
  • - Quantifiable target, Deadline : Other: i. The GovTech Delivery Board will consider the adoption of AI by the Public Service, including:a. What appropriate safeguards are needed to ensure a secure system for AI development and use in the public service.b. The approach to developing and promulgating principles for trustworthy AI which will apply to all AI developed for and used by the Public Service.c. The development needs for AI talent in the Public Service.d. Opportunities for public procurement of AI, using public purchasing power to drive innovation and growth in the development of ethical and trustworthy AI.ii. To promote an ‘open’ environment for accelerating and testing AI applications in the Public Service, e.g. Hackathons and Workshops. [DPER]
  • - Quantifiable target, Deadline : Public research capabilities: i. To conduct a mapping of the AI R&I ecosystem. [DFHERIS-SFI]ii. To promote Irish participation in international AI R&I programmes and relevant EU funding calls. [DFHERIS, SFI/ DETE]iii. To explore potential mechanisms for all-island cooperation on AI R&I in strategic sectors, for example through the Shared Island initiative. [DFHERIS, SFI/ DoT]iv. To promote Ireland as a centre for talent in AI R&I as part of Global Footprint 2025. [DFHERIS/DETE/ DFA]
  • - Quantifiable target, Deadline : Review and adapt existing policy and regulatory frameworks: i. To continue to play an active part in discussions at EU level to define a horizontal regulatory framework for AI. [DETE]ii. To consider an appropriate mechanism for ensuring a coordinated approach by Irish regulators to Digital, including AI, as part of the forthcoming National Digital Strategy. [DOT/ DETE / DECC /D/Justice/ DTCAGSM / DCEDIY]iii. To examine and promote ways to help businesses self-assess the trustworthiness of their AI systems, including through development of case studies and toolkits for SMEs. [DETE/ EI, IDA /DFEHRIS]iv. To publish a Standards and Assurance Roadmap for AI. [DETE-NSAI]v. To investigate the potential and requirements of regulatory sandboxes for AI. [DETE-NSAI / DETEEI/IDA / DFEHERIS-SFI]vi. To join the Global Partnership on AI [DETE/ DFA]vii. To continue to advocate within multilateral fora for an ethical and human rights-based approach to AI. [DFA / other Departments as appropriate]viii. To consider the implications of AI as part of a planned review of equality legislation. [DCEDIY]
  • - Quantifiable target, Deadline : Societal challenges (e.g. social inclusiveness); environmental challenges (e.g. sustainability): “AI for Environment and Climate Action”, “AI for Societal Good and Sustainability”i. To open a conversation with children and young people about AI through Comhairle na nÓg (the national structure for consultation with children and young people). [DETE / DCEDIY]ii. To promote and expand courses which educate the general public about AI. [DFHERIS]iii. To expand AI for Societal Good Challenge Funds. [DFHERIS, SFI / DPER / relevant Departments]iv. To include opportunities for AI in climate action as part of the development of future climate policies. [DECC / DFHERIS, SFI / DETE / DoT]
  • Societal challenge(s) emphasised : Inclusiveness (e.g. inequality, job insecurity) | Climate change | Environmental sustainability | Other
  • - Other : Youth inclusion

AI use in the public sector

  • Type : AI use in the public sector
  • Name in English :
  • Country : Ireland

Institutional funding for public research

  • Type : Institutional funding for public research
  • Name in English : The State is incentivising research into how AI can be used for societal good through Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), which is investing in this area across all their funding programmes.Research projects include developing AI for smart and sustainable cities and safer transport; for more efficient agriculture; for improved human health; and for a more robust understanding of the environment. These projects are very often carried out in close collaboration with industry partners. For example, researchers at Lero, the SFI Research Centre for Software, are working with Microsoft to develop AI-based “chatbots” to provide opportunities for young refugees to access and avail of high-quality educational resources in their own languages.
  • Description : The State is incentivising research into how AI can be used for societal good through Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), which is investing in this area across all their funding programmes.Research projects include developing AI for smart and sustainable cities and safer transport; for more efficient agriculture; for improved human health; and for a more robust understanding of the environment. These projects are very often carried out in close collaboration with industry partners. For example, researchers at Lero, the SFI Research Centre for Software, are working with Microsoft to develop AI-based “chatbots” to provide opportunities for young refugees to access and avail of high-quality educational resources in their own languages.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Funding includes a teaching component : No
  • Performance-based element to the allocation : Yes
  • Criteria for funding : Other
  • - Other : Use of AI for Societal Good
  • Funding is attached to : Strategic programme or other policy initiative
  • Penalties and rewards associated to performance : Bonuses and incentives
  • Who is providing funding? : Government
  • Funding amount allocated for an average time-period of : 3 years or less

Public awareness campaigns and civic participation activities

  • Type : Public awareness campaigns and civic participation activities
  • Name in English : Government will appoint an AI ambassador to promote awareness among the public and businesses of the potential that AI offers, serving as a champion of AI as a positive force for the economy and society. The AI ambassador will lead a national conversation around the role of AI in our lives, emphasising an ethical and compliant approach and leveraging opportunities such as Science Week, sponsored by SFI every November.To inform the work of the AI ambassador, a Youth Assembly on AI will be convened to discuss young people’s attitudes to, concerns about, and visions for an AI-powered future – its benefits, risks and impacts on different groups in society.
  • Description : Government will appoint an AI ambassador to promote awareness among the public and businesses of the potential that AI offers, serving as a champion of AI as a positive force for the economy and society. The AI ambassador will lead a national conversation around the role of AI in our lives, emphasising an ethical and compliant approach and leveraging opportunities such as Science Week, sponsored by SFI every November.To inform the work of the AI ambassador, a Youth Assembly on AI will be convened to discuss young people’s attitudes to, concerns about, and visions for an AI-powered future – its benefits, risks and impacts on different groups in society.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Medium : Public events | Competitions | Science fairs | Conferences, workshops and/or training courses
  • Aspect(s) being promoted : Other | Skills for AI | Trustworthy AI (e.g. Transparency, Explainability, Fairness, Robustness and Security)
  • - Other : Youth participation
  • Type of activity : Informative (public awareness) | Public engagement ( e.g. deliberative processes such as workshops, and working groups that allow for co-design)

AI skills and education

  • Type : AI skills and education
  • Name in English : Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the Elements of AI
  • Country : Ireland
  • Type(s) of AI capacity building activity(ies) : Publicly provided adult learning AI-related courses

Knowledge transfers and business advisory services

  • Type : Knowledge transfers and business advisory services
  • Name in English : In order to guarantee that the AI adopted by businesses is ethical the National AI Innovation Hub (together with the other European Digital Innovation Hubs) will provide advisory support to businesses to help them in assessing the trustworthiness of AI systems. This will include providing case studies and toolkits for SMEs to implement ethical and trustworthy AI.
  • Description : In order to guarantee that the AI adopted by businesses is ethical the National AI Innovation Hub (together with the other European Digital Innovation Hubs) will provide advisory support to businesses to help them in assessing the trustworthiness of AI systems. This will include providing case studies and toolkits for SMEs to implement ethical and trustworthy AI.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Services provided by : Public body from national government
  • Modality : Consultancy
  • Type of advisory service : Implement technology best practices or support meeting national or international standards

AI skills and education

  • Type : AI skills and education
  • Name in English : University College Dublin (UCD) Machine Ethics Research Group
  • Country : Ireland
  • Type(s) of AI capacity building activity(ies) : Graduate level (e.g. Masters, PhD programs on AI)

Standards and certification for technology development and adoption

  • Type : Standards and certification for technology development and adoption
  • Name in English : Ireland established a Top Team on Standards for AI in 2020, with the ambition to expand Ireland’s international leadership in AI Standards development. Led by the NSAI, the Top Team is working with academia, industry and regulators to develop a roadmap for AI Standards and Assurance. It will also explore what guidance and assistance is needed for Irish enterprises and organisations to embrace AI safely and ethically, utilising standards that are published and in development.The Top Team on Standards will examine ways to support the development of certification schemes and codes of conduct to address particular aspects of AI processing or different stages of AI development and operations in areas such as:- explainability and transparency- determination or demonstration of fairness- estimations of bias in training data- mechanisms to effectively audit AI systems- securing AI datastores and training sets- data minimisation and anonymisation techniques that provide for effective outputs or AI “decisions”- effective support for GDPR rights in AI systems- design principles for AI systems that ensure effective data protection
  • Description : Ireland established a Top Team on Standards for AI in 2020, with the ambition to expand Ireland’s international leadership in AI Standards development. Led by the NSAI, the Top Team is working with academia, industry and regulators to develop a roadmap for AI Standards and Assurance. It will also explore what guidance and assistance is needed for Irish enterprises and organisations to embrace AI safely and ethically, utilising standards that are published and in development.The Top Team on Standards will examine ways to support the development of certification schemes and codes of conduct to address particular aspects of AI processing or different stages of AI development and operations in areas such as:- explainability and transparency- determination or demonstration of fairness- estimations of bias in training data- mechanisms to effectively audit AI systems- securing AI datastores and training sets- data minimisation and anonymisation techniques that provide for effective outputs or AI “decisions”- effective support for GDPR rights in AI systems- design principles for AI systems that ensure effective data protection
  • Country : Ireland
  • Geographical dimension : National
  • Objective(s) : Trustworthy AI (e.g. Transparency, Explainability, Fairness, Robustness and Security)
  • Standards developed through : Dedicated national public body/bodies | Multi-stakeholder platforms and fora
  • Adoption fostered by : Collaborative platforms
  • The following services associated to the standards have public support : Training

AI co-ordination and/or monitoring bodies

  • Type : AI co-ordination and/or monitoring bodies
  • Name in English : The Irish Government will establish an Enterprise Digital Advisory Board, with membership drawn from Industry, to work with and advise Government in achieving the objective of a step change in AI adoption by Irish enterprise. Working with its enterprise development agencies and the Local Enterprise Offices, and advised by the Enterprise Digital Advisory Board, Government will drive a phased approach to AI adoption - from awareness-raising through opportunities to connect, explore and experiment with AI, to assistance for implementation - which can be rolled out to enterprises, with a focus on SMEs and small businesses across the country.
  • Description : The Irish Government will establish an Enterprise Digital Advisory Board, with membership drawn from Industry, to work with and advise Government in achieving the objective of a step change in AI adoption by Irish enterprise. Working with its enterprise development agencies and the Local Enterprise Offices, and advised by the Enterprise Digital Advisory Board, Government will drive a phased approach to AI adoption - from awareness-raising through opportunities to connect, explore and experiment with AI, to assistance for implementation - which can be rolled out to enterprises, with a focus on SMEs and small businesses across the country.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Function : Co-ordination
  • Description of changes in institutional arrangements : Creation of governance structure or public body
  • Type of coordinating or monitoring body : Coordination or advisory council / committee
  • Reports to : Head of national government
  • As mechanisms, the coordination body and/or monitoring body : Provides opportunities to involve non-state stakeholders | Issues specific recommendations to ministries | Monitors/measures the implementation of AI policy
  • Sectors of public administration involved : Science, technology and innovation | Finance
  • The coordination or monitoring body is composed of : Government representatives | Business representatives
  • Degree of coordination in implementing strategy (select the highest that applies) : 1- Strategy communicated to public bodies
  • Discussions or reports are publicly available : No

Networking and collaborative platforms

  • Type : Networking and collaborative platforms
  • Name in English : In recognition of the challenges that must be addressed to help SMEs in adopting AI and digitalisation, the European Commission, together with Member States, is establishing a network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) to play a central role in stimulating the broad uptake of AI and other digital technologies by industry (in particular SMEs and midcaps), as well as by the public sector. The Irish Government will establish a number of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) in Ireland under this initiative. One of the successful candidates will be specifically designated as a National AI Digital Innovation Hub. This Hub will take on the role of the National First Stop for AI, acting as the point of contact for businesses in engaging with AI adoption and the AI innovation ecosystem.
  • Description : In recognition of the challenges that must be addressed to help SMEs in adopting AI and digitalisation, the European Commission, together with Member States, is establishing a network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) to play a central role in stimulating the broad uptake of AI and other digital technologies by industry (in particular SMEs and midcaps), as well as by the public sector. The Irish Government will establish a number of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) in Ireland under this initiative. One of the successful candidates will be specifically designated as a National AI Digital Innovation Hub. This Hub will take on the role of the National First Stop for AI, acting as the point of contact for businesses in engaging with AI adoption and the AI innovation ecosystem.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Focus : Business innovation-oriented | Technology-oriented
  • Share of the platform's funding coming from the private sector (as a % of total funding) : 0%
  • Exchanges take place via : Meetings and events
  • Objective(s) : Promote business partnerships (e.g. consortia-building) | Coordinate AI developments | Demonstrate technological developments and innovations
  • Ownership of IP stemming from science-industry research : Not applicable

AI computing and research infrastructure

  • Type : AI computing and research infrastructure
  • Name in English : CeADAR, Ireland’s National Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence, makes AI demonstrators and prototypes available to businesses, so that they can trial AI technologies before committing to adoption. CeADAR has linked up and connected with over 1,000 businesses in Ireland to strengthen their AI competence and accelerate their adoption of AI.
  • Description : CeADAR, Ireland’s National Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence, makes AI demonstrators and prototypes available to businesses, so that they can trial AI technologies before committing to adoption. CeADAR has linked up and connected with over 1,000 businesses in Ireland to strengthen their AI competence and accelerate their adoption of AI.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Main focus of support : National infrastructure(s)
  • Objective(s) : Foster science-industry collaboration
  • Funding used for : Other
  • - Other : Not specified

AI computing and research infrastructure

  • Type : AI computing and research infrastructure
  • Name in English : IMR works with the manufacturing industry to demystify, derisk and deliver emerging technologies and new knowledge, such as AI, enabling industry to succeed at the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing.
  • Description : IMR works with the manufacturing industry to demystify, derisk and deliver emerging technologies and new knowledge, such as AI, enabling industry to succeed at the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Main focus of support : National infrastructure(s)
  • Objective(s) : Foster science-industry collaboration
  • Funding used for : Other
  • - Other : Not specified

AI computing and research infrastructure

  • Type : AI computing and research infrastructure
  • Name in English : Government Agency Enterprise Ireland also runs a Technology Gateway Network, in partnership with Institutes of Technology and Technical Universities, which provides local access points for businesses to the Irish research infrastructure, and delivers technology solutions for enterprise.
  • Description : Government Agency Enterprise Ireland also runs a Technology Gateway Network, in partnership with Institutes of Technology and Technical Universities, which provides local access points for businesses to the Irish research infrastructure, and delivers technology solutions for enterprise.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Main focus of support : National infrastructure(s)
  • Objective(s) : Foster science-industry collaboration
  • Funding used for : Training research and technical staff

Procurement programmes for AI R&D and innovation

  • Type : Procurement programmes for AI R&D and innovation
  • Name in English : A €500 million Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, is designed to drive collaboration between Ireland’s research base and industry to develop novel technologies capable of transforming business.
  • Description : A €500 million Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, is designed to drive collaboration between Ireland’s research base and industry to develop novel technologies capable of transforming business.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Type of programme : Dedicated AI R&D procurement fund
  • R&D/innovation objective(s) : Promote specific research priorities
  • Programme focus : Promote science-industry cooperation | Strategic technology | Strategic business sector

Equity financing

  • Type : Equity financing
  • Name in English : A Border Enterprise Development Fund administered by EI supports the international competitiveness of enterprises in the Border Region in the context of Brexit and other market challenges including COVID-19. Current projects focus on AI, robotics, machine learning, and big data.
  • Description : A Border Enterprise Development Fund administered by EI supports the international competitiveness of enterprises in the Border Region in the context of Brexit and other market challenges including COVID-19. Current projects focus on AI, robotics, machine learning, and big data.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Type of financing : Other
  • - Other : Not speficied
  • Mechanism(s) : Fund
  • Type of fund : Direct public equity fund
  • Focus : Support access to international markets | Other
  • - Other : Encourage enterprise collaboration on AI

Emerging AI-related regulation

  • Type : Emerging AI-related regulation
  • Name in English : Regulates data sharing in the public sector.
  • Description : Regulates data sharing in the public sector.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Public access URL : http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2019/act/5/enacted/en/html
  • Entered into force on : 2019-03-04
  • Role of government : Risk mitigation (e.g. consumer and social protection) | Protector of public values
  • Challenge(s) addressed : Data protection and right to privacy
  • Relevance to well-being : Other
  • - Other : Privacy protection
  • Type(s) of regulation : Self-regulation (e.g. codes of conduct, guidelines, standards)
  • International agreement : Binding instruments (e.g. harmonisation of national legislation)
  • Regulatory approach : Anticipatory approaches to regulatory governance
  • Level of governance : National
  • Approach to monitor compliance : The regulator develops and maintains technologies for data collection, transmission and/or analytics to monitor compliance

Project grants for public research

  • Type : Project grants for public research
  • Name in English : The SFI Public Sector Fellowship provides a vehicle for partnership between highly skilled academics and the public sector on AI-related projects.
  • Description : The SFI Public Sector Fellowship provides a vehicle for partnership between highly skilled academics and the public sector on AI-related projects.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Public access URL : https://www.sfi.ie/funding/funding-calls/public-service-fellowship/
  • Maximum grant duration : 13-24 months
  • Who is providing funding? : Government
  • Maximum amount of grant awarded in euros : 100K-500K
  • Type of activity : Applied research | Experimental development
  • Requires a form of collaboration : With other partners
  • Selection criteria : Track record of applicant | Social inclusion in research (e.g. women and other under-represented groups) | Other
  • - Other : Educational level
  • Type(s) of proposal screening : Internal: review by grant manager (e.g. funding agency)
  • Success rate (share of grants awarded as a % of total applications) : Too early to estimate

Institutional funding for public research

  • Type : Institutional funding for public research
  • Name in English : Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM) is currently funding a number of projects to promote the development of language technology tools and resources in Irish. For example, DCU has developed Irish language computer translation systems and a research project at Trinity College Dublin is developing an Irish language synthesiser - a system that can translate written text into language spoken in the different dialects (www.Abair.ie). A Digital Plan for the Irish Language is currently being prepared by these universities to underpin future technological opportunities.
  • Description : Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM) is currently funding a number of projects to promote the development of language technology tools and resources in Irish. For example, DCU has developed Irish language computer translation systems and a research project at Trinity College Dublin is developing an Irish language synthesiser - a system that can translate written text into language spoken in the different dialects (www.Abair.ie). A Digital Plan for the Irish Language is currently being prepared by these universities to underpin future technological opportunities.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Funding includes a teaching component : No
  • Performance-based element to the allocation : No
  • Criteria for funding : Social inclusion (e.g. women and other under-represented groups) of student and research staff | Research impact
  • Funding is attached to : None of the above
  • Penalties and rewards associated to performance : None of the above
  • Who is providing funding? : Government

Networking and collaborative platforms

  • Type : Networking and collaborative platforms
  • Name in English : The Technology Centre programme, a joint initiative between EI and IDA Ireland (IDA), allows indigenous businesses and multinational enterprises (MNEs) to work together on market-focused strategic R&I projects in collaboration with research institutions.
  • Description : The Technology Centre programme, a joint initiative between EI and IDA Ireland (IDA), allows indigenous businesses and multinational enterprises (MNEs) to work together on market-focused strategic R&I projects in collaboration with research institutions.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Focus : Business innovation-oriented | Technology-oriented | Addressing social or environmental challenges
  • Exchanges take place via : Other
  • - Other : Different platforms
  • Objective(s) : Demonstrate technological developments and innovations | Promote economic growth (e.g. productivity, competitiveness) | Promote research partnerships
  • Ownership of IP stemming from science-industry research : Not applicable

AI skills and education

  • Type : AI skills and education
  • Name in English : Junior Cycle Level Computer Coding Module
  • Country : Ireland
  • Type(s) of AI capacity building activity(ies) : STEM Education (e.g. early education programmes; Digital Skills Strategies, Technology and data literacy education programmes)
  • Workforce transition programmes : Programmes for the development of job-relevant skills in the area of AI

AI skills and education

  • Type : AI skills and education
  • Name in English : Leaving Certificate Computer Science
  • Country : Ireland
  • Type(s) of AI capacity building activity(ies) : STEM Education (e.g. early education programmes; Digital Skills Strategies, Technology and data literacy education programmes)
  • Workforce transition programmes : Programmes for the development of job-relevant skills in the area of AI

AI skills and education

  • Type : AI skills and education
  • Name in English : Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning
  • Country : Ireland
  • Type(s) of AI capacity building activity(ies) : Undergraduate level | Graduate level (e.g. Masters, PhD programs on AI)
  • Workforce transition programmes : Programmes for the development of job-relevant skills in the area of AI

AI skills and education

  • Type : AI skills and education
  • Name in English : Human Capital Initiative
  • Country : Ireland
  • Type(s) of AI capacity building activity(ies) : Undergraduate level | Graduate level (e.g. Masters, PhD programs on AI)
  • Workforce transition programmes : Programmes for the development of job-relevant skills in the area of AI

AI skills and education

  • Type : AI skills and education
  • Name in English : Skills to Advance and Skills to Compete - SOLAS
  • Country : Ireland
  • Type(s) of AI capacity building activity(ies) : Partnerships with the private sector to promote training on AI (e.g. non-formal learning programmes)
  • Workforce transition programmes : Programmes for adoption of AI technology in the private sector and workplace innovation

AI skills and education

  • Type : AI skills and education
  • Name in English : EXPLORE programme
  • Country : Ireland
  • Type(s) of AI capacity building activity(ies) : Publicly provided adult learning AI-related courses
  • Workforce transition programmes : Programmes for the development of job-relevant skills in the area of AI

Centres of excellence grants

  • Type : Centres of excellence grants
  • Name in English : SFI Centres for Research Training (CRT) – a training programme for postgraduate students in “Data and ICT skills for the future”. The SFI CRTs represent a €104 million investment from SFI and use a cost-share model where, at minimum, one out of every five students is funded from leveraged non-SFI sources. Collaborations include eleven different HEIs from across Ireland, and over 90 industry partners which include MNEs, SMEs and private foundations.The six SFI CRTs is providing training for postgraduate students in the areas of Machine Learning, Digitally Enhanced Reality, Foundations of Data Science, Genomics Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Network for Sustainable Societies. 46% of students under this programme are women.
  • Description : SFI Centres for Research Training (CRT) – a training programme for postgraduate students in “Data and ICT skills for the future”. The SFI CRTs represent a €104 million investment from SFI and use a cost-share model where, at minimum, one out of every five students is funded from leveraged non-SFI sources. Collaborations include eleven different HEIs from across Ireland, and over 90 industry partners which include MNEs, SMEs and private foundations.The six SFI CRTs is providing training for postgraduate students in the areas of Machine Learning, Digitally Enhanced Reality, Foundations of Data Science, Genomics Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Network for Sustainable Societies. 46% of students under this programme are women.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Maximum duration of funding for individual unit/centre : Indefinite
  • Share of public funding (as a % of total funding of the centre of excellence) : 70-89%
  • Focus : Promoting early-stage researchers | Societal challenge(s)
  • Criteria for funding : Alignment to national research priorities | Ability for the centre to acquire additional funds | Structural inclusion of beneficiaries in host institutes
  • Requires a form of collaborative research : Science-industry
  • Ownership of Intellectual Property (IP) stemming from science-industry research : Not applicable
  • Penalties and rewards associated to performance : None of the above

AI skills and education

  • Type : AI skills and education
  • Name in English : Women ReBOOT programme
  • Country : Ireland
  • Type(s) of AI capacity building activity(ies) : STEM Education (e.g. early education programmes; Digital Skills Strategies, Technology and data literacy education programmes)
  • Workforce transition programmes : Programmes for the development of job-relevant skills in the area of AI

AI computing and research infrastructure

  • Type : AI computing and research infrastructure
  • Name in English : Insight undertakes high-impact research, seeking to derive value from Big Data and providing innovative technology solutions for industry and society.
  • Description : Insight undertakes high-impact research, seeking to derive value from Big Data and providing innovative technology solutions for industry and society.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Main focus of support : National infrastructure(s)
  • Objective(s) : Address national research priorities | Foster science-industry collaboration
  • Funding used for : Other
  • - Other : Not specified

Public consultations of stakeholders or experts

  • Type : Public consultations of stakeholders or experts
  • Name in English : During the development of the National AI Strategy for Ireland, a consultation process was undertaken across the government system as well as with relevant stakeholders. As part of the consultation process, an open public consultation process was held from 16 October 2019 until 7 November 2019, where engagement and inputs were sought from stakeholders and interested parties.
  • Description : During the development of the National AI Strategy for Ireland, a consultation process was undertaken across the government system as well as with relevant stakeholders. As part of the consultation process, an open public consultation process was held from 16 October 2019 until 7 November 2019, where engagement and inputs were sought from stakeholders and interested parties.
  • Country : Ireland
  • Public access URL : https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/Consultations/Consultations-files/AI-Strategy-Public-Consultation-Report.pdf
  • Coordinating institution name : Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
  • Consultation process objective : To better understand the views of the public on the opportunities, enablers and challenges for AI in Ireland and to gather views on key areas and issues that should be addressed by the strategy.
  • Consultation process start date : 2019-10-01
  • Consultation process end date : 2019-11-01
  • Type(s) of stakeholders : Business | Academia | Civil society | Technical community
  • Stakeholders contribute to : Problem definition | Policy objective formulation
  • Method : Offline survey | Online feedback | Other
  • - Other : Email requests to specific stakeholders
  • Number of participants : 25 to 100
Last updated : Sep 6, 2022
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